mange

Sarcoptic mange or canine scabies is a disease which is probably most commonly encountered by the dog in its life span. Dogs of all ages may be affected, but sarcoptic mange is more common in young animals. Scabies is highly contagious among dogs and cats and can be transmitted to humans.

The word mangy is suggestive of a rough and uneven hair coat dog with damaged skin. This disease is caused by mites called Sarcoptic mite, Sarcoptes scabiei .They are highly communicable bugs that actually dig tunnels into the skin where they cause intense itching, inflammation and hair loss. So Scabies, is sudden, localized, very intense itching (pruritis) caused by Sarcoptes mites. The mite burrows into the skin to lay its eggs. After hatching, the nymphs and larvae feed on the skin. Intense pruritis is caused by the burrowing and hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction to the secretions of the mites.
The mite prefers to live lives on the surface of the skin, and does not survive for very long off the host.

The hallmark of the disease is intense pruritus that does not respond to symptomatic treatment; the dog scratches and chews at himself. Symptoms are thought to be the result of a severe allergic reaction to the mite. Just a few mites can cause severe generalized pruritus (itchiness), which sometimes persists after therapy due to the allergic component of this disease.There may also be papules (small red bumps) located on the margins of the ears, elbows, hocks (ankles), chest and abdomen. These lesions may become generalized. Other symptoms may include patchy hair loss, and crusty sores.
The incubation period (time until clinical symptoms become apparent) can be as long as 3 weeks after exposure.

If left untreated, chronic skin lesions develop including increased pigmentation, thickening and wrinkling of the skin, ulcerations and draining tracts. Secondary bacterial infections are common due to self-trauma.

Pruritic (itchy) papules (small red bumps) can be found on the arms, neck and waistline of affected humans. The sarcoptic mange mite of dogs cannot reproduce on human skin, and lesions on humans regress spontaneously in 12 to 14 days.

So watch for ? Intense itching? Presence of papules? Patchy hair loss? Crusty sores.
Areas commonly affected include the abdomen, chest, legs, and ears. Symptoms include the following:
" Alopecia
" Ear margin lesions
" Intense pruritis (itching)
" Papules (raised bumps) with thick yellow crusts

. A swift diagnosis of sarcoptic mites is vital to the pet's health and the well being of the pet's owner. Generally, in healthy humans who are not immune suppressed, the Scabies Mites do not reproduce very readily and may simply "go away" without medical treatment. If you are in doubt about human cases of Scabies, consult your physician.

The disease Scabies do resemble allergic dermatitis in many ways as the skin is reacting to the irritant in allergy leading to intense itching and in scabies the mites are acting as allergen and from there the exact problem of diagnosis and wrong diagnosis starts as sometimes the symptomatic treatment of allergic dermatitis which involves cortisone predominantly prednisolone injection which is actually loved by mites leading to worsening of the case.

And here's another problem... sarcoptic mites are very elusive. Ordinarily, skin scrapings are utilized to pick up mites from the skin, a few drops of solution is applied to the scraping and the substance is examined under the microscope for the presence of mites. Cheyletiella are easy to find, Demodex are easy to find, ear mites are easy to find... scabies mites seldom are found. Take as many scrapings as you like, even go deep into the skin, and the odds are that you still will not find the scabies mites. This has led many an unwary veterinarian down the road to misdiagnosis. After all, if no mites are found on this itchy, inflamed pet with hair loss and skin sores, it must be an allergic dermatitis, right?
So the diagnosis of sarcoptic mange is based on three things:
? Suggestive clinical signs. The rapid onset of pruritis and the rapid progression of lesions should suggest scabies.
? Microscopic examination of skin scrapings. Mites are occasionally found on microscopic examination of skin scrapings, but failure to find the mite should not eliminate the diagnosis of scabies.
? Response to treatment. Treatment for scabies improves the condition. As the disease is 100% treatable with wonderful new drugs like ivermectin.

A SIMPLE WAY TO PRESUME THE DIAGNOSIS OF SCABIES IN DOGS
In over 95% of dogs with Scabies a simple test can suggest that these mites are present. It is called the Pedal-Pinna Reflex Test. Since almost all dogs with Scabies mites will have mites along the ear flap (called the Pinna) margins, as displayed in some of the photos below, the dog will reflexively use a back leg in a scratching motion if the Pinna is scratched gently by a person testing this reflex. Simply take the Pinna between your thumb and forefinger and vigorously scratch the surface of the underside of the Pinna with the forefinger. Dogs with no mites seldom work the back leg in a scratching motion. Dogs with sarcoptic mites almost always will demonstrate an involuntary scratching motion with the back leg while you are scratching the Pinna.

Treatment.
Treatment may include a scabicidal dip. The entire animal is rinsed with an amitraz , lime sulfur , or organophosphate solution.

Amitraz is applied every 1 to 2 weeks for three treatments. Amitraz dips can be toxic and are usually administered by a trained veterinary technician; pet owners should be aware of all safety precautions.Amitraz kills ticks and mites by affecting the nervous system.Always ask your vet for the trained technician for the amitraz bath.

Lime sulfur should be applied weekly until 2 weeks after all clinical signs of infestation have disappeared; most cases require 6 weeks of treatment, though it may take longer. This is considered the safest treatment for very young or debilitated pets.

A paramite dip is applied every 2 weeks for at least three treatments; most cases require more than three dips. The pet should not get wet between treatments.

Other treatments include ivermectin and selamectrin. Ivermectin is highly effective and may be injected every 2 weeks for two to three treatments.Ivermectin should not be used in collies, shelties, other herding breeds, dogs with heartworm, or puppies younger than 6 months of age.

Selamectrin may be applied topically two times, 1 month apart (some animals may be cured with the first application).

All pets in contact with an affected animal can be treat with Revolution is a product from Pfizer be treated since there can be asymptomatic carriers (they have the disorder but aren't showing any signs of disease) of the sarcoptic mites. .

The animal's environment should be thoroughly cleaned and treated; Sarcopes mites can survive in the environment for as long as 3 weeks.

All dogs that come in contact with the infected dog should be treated. Animals that don't show signs of scabies may be asymptomatic carriers and could cause recurring infestation

At home you may be asked to bathe your animal weekly and use an anti-parasitic lime sulfur dip (LymDip). The dip preparation is very safe, but may damage jewelry and porcelain. It produces a yellow stain on the hair coat and skin due to its sulfur content. The sulfur content also imparts a strong odor of "rotten eggs." Gloves should be used when applying the dip.

Ideally, the dip should be applied outdoors and the animal not allowed back into the house until it is completely dry. This precaution will prevent staining of furniture and carpeting by the dip.

Mites do not survive for long in the environment. Regular cleaning, vacuuming and washing of bedding usually are sufficient to rid the household of the mites. Remember, mites can be transmitted to humans, so care must be taken when handling an infested dog.